US President Donald Trump has told his aides privately that he will not end a ceasefire with Iran unless Tehran kills American troops, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing US officials.
Trump’s reluctance to reignite the conflict with Iran suggests that he may be willing to “withstand smaller flare-ups for weeks, or even months, to avoid a broader conflict in the Middle East”, the report said.
This week, the US and Iran exchanged some of their most intense hostilities since the ceasefire took effect in early April.
Iran launched missiles and drones targeting US military installations across the region, as well as Kuwait International Airport, resulting in one fatality.
RelatedTRT World – Trump: Iran’s supreme leader involved in talks to end war
The US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on February 28, prompting retaliatory attacks from Iran on Israel and US allies in the Gulf. Iran also moved to block the strategic Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire was reached in early April, but the US imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
